How Intangible Human Capital of Self-Esteem and Motivation

How Intangible Human Capital of Self-Esteem and Motivation

Impact Their Perception of Economics, Political, and Social Environment in Cambodia

By Dr. Sovathana Sokhom

Dr. Sovathana Sokhom leads a UC team of researchers (Dr. Y Rantana, Mrs. Gina Lopez, Mr. Pay How, Mr. Sam Sophorn, Mr. Hok Ly, Mr. Chum Chandarin, Ms. Seng Ra) to investigate and understand “How Intangible Human Capital of Self-Esteem and Motivation Impact Their Perception of Economics, Political, and Social Environment.” The one year research project is conducted in joint cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports’ Department of Higher Education Quality and Capacity Improvement Project (HEQCIP) and the University of Cambodia.

The project looks at how the use of motivation can help influence students’ economical, political, and social experiences. The project anticipates enlisting 2,200 student participants. A group of 1,100 student participants will be placed in a treatment group, which will receive three hours of motivation and self esteem training. The other 1,100 student participants will be placed in a control group with no motivation and self-esteem training. All student participants are then asked to fill out a survey - three surveys will be conducted throughout the course of the research study. The surveys will be used to evaluate the impact of the Self-Esteem and Motivation training on students’ economical, political, and social perceptions.

It is hoped that the project will benefitparticipants by strengthening their self-esteem, thus their capacity as students and confident young adults. The research project started in November 2013 and will end in December 2014. Analyses and results of the study will be publicly announced the end of next year. The University of Cambodia encourages and supports faculty and student research into vast field areas to help improve learning, knowledge, and human conditions to build a brighter tomorrow.